Special Funds of the President of the Republic of Belarus

The idea to set up funds of the Presidents of the Republic of Belarus to provide support to the talented students and youth emerged in a difficult time. In the mid-1990s serious scientific research and creative work became less and less prestigious. The best graduates of Belarusian universities, young workers of culture used to leave the country to work overseas. In order to change the situation the Belarusian officials launched a comprehensive campaign to support Belarusian science, national culture and, especially, the talented youth. As a result, a network of new-type educational establishments, namely gymnasiums, lyceums, gymnasium-college educational complexes, thousands of schools specializing in a number of subjects, was created in Belarus.

The funds pay various scholarships and prizes, provide non-recurrent financial aid. The funds sponsor national and international student scientific conferences, contests, seminars and provide financing to the creative youth partaking in international contests, exhibitions, symposiums and other campaigns in culture and arts.

Over the period of 16 years more than 20,000 people received prizes, scholarships and financial assistance from the fund of the President of Belarus for the social support of gifted students. The President’s fund for the support of the talented youth has awarded over 2,000 young people.

The title of a scholarship holder or a laureate of the President’s fund is not just a reward. It means that the state assumes responsibility for further professional development of the talented youth. The state keeps a vigilant eye on future careers of laureates. This is done to enable the most favorable conditions for the self-realization of a creative personality and to get maximum benefits for the country. Young people get assistance in employment, housing and other financial issues. The funds support the talented youth throughout the life.

Support of the Talented Youth

The special fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the support of the talented youth was established in Belarus in line with Belarus President Decree No. 18 of 12 January 1996. It sponsors measures taken to find and support the talented youth.

The fund’s sources of financing are the allotments from the reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus, voluntary contributions of Belarusian citizens, foreign nationals, stateless persons, legal entities, and other sources.

The money is administered by the council of the fund which comprises renowned workers of culture and arts, representatives of the Belarus President Administration, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, the Presidential Property Management Directorate, interested government bodies and organizations, creative unions, other public associations.

On the basis of proposals made by government bodies, organizations, public associations and taking into account recommendations of the fund’s expert commission the council of the fund gives awards to talented pupils, students, pedagogues, young workers of culture and arts in recognition of their profound creative achievements. The fund awards the talented youth with scholarships, grants and prizes, sponsors training courses, organizes master classes with renowned workers of culture and arts in educational institutions. The fund finances creative projects and meetings with famous cultural figures from various countries, organizes contests, festivals, concerts, exhibitions and other events aimed at revealing and supporting young talents, promoting their creative work, encouraging talented young people to take part in international contests, exhibitions, symposiums and other events in culture and arts. These events are held to promote development and mutual enrichment of national cultures. The fund provides financing to purchase musical instruments, costumes, materials and equipment used in creative work.

Support of Talented Pupils and Students

The special fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the social support of gifted students was founded in Belarus in line with Belarus President Decree No. 19 of 12 January 1996. It sponsors measures aimed at stimulating the intellectual and creative activities of the talented youth in education and science.

The fund’s sources of financing are the allotments from the reserve fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus, voluntary monetary contributions of legal entities and individuals, including in foreign currency, and tangible assets.

The money is administered by the council of the fund which comprises representatives of the Belarus President Administration, interested ministries and other central government bodies, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, educational establishments, agencies, organizations and public associations.

On the basis of proposals made by agencies, organizations and citizens the council of the fund makes decisions regarding the sponsorship of national and international student scientific conferences, contests, seminars and other events which help reveal and support young talents, finance courses and advanced training of gifted pupils and students. The fund gives promotional scholarships, supports research associations of students and schools which are famous for promising ideas and projects, provides financial aid to university and school students in recognition of their academic excellence in humanitarian subjects and natural sciences.

The fund awards teachers, education researchers, and other persons, who have made a big personal contribution to the formation of a new and more efficient education system, development of modern methods to help talented students develop their abilities in science and technologies. The fund’s money is spent on the promotion of publishing, exhibition and other activities which raise the prestige of education, science and intellectual labor, the development and implementation of comprehensive programs and projects aimed at creating favorable conditions for the creative work of talented people.